Hong Kong Hospital Authority Receives EMRAM Stage 7 Validation

The Hospital Authority Hong Kong (HA) has achieved a monumental milestone in its healthcare journey by achieving Stage 7 on the EMRAM maturity model from HIMSS. Through the implementation and use of Electronic Medical Records technology, HA highlighted its commitment to delivering superior patient-centered care and operational efficiency across its extensive network of 43 public hospitals and 123 clinics. 

Building on their previous Stage 6 validation, HA crafted a detailed project plan tailored to the unique healthcare landscape of Hong Kong which included elevating the standard of IT-enabled healthcare delivery across Hong Kong's public healthcare system using their Clinical Management System (CMS). 

Hospital Authority Hong Kong’s CMS has evolved to become a cornerstone of their healthcare delivery, now in its fourth generation. Their advanced system supports seamless, paperless operations, clinical procedure support, and closed-loop clinical management, significantly streamlining workflows and enhancing patient care. 

Covering all 43 public hospitals and institutions, 49 specialist out-patient clinics, and 74 general out-patient clinics, their CMS integrates sophisticated functionalities such as IPMOE, a computerized system for drug prescription, dispensing, and administration; the Result Screening App, a paperless system for investigation reports; e-Vital, which supports timely and accurate clinical data capture; e-Scribe, a digital assistant for clinical workflow automation; and Smart ASP, advanced data analytics for antibiotic use. With over 70,000 users and 43 million transactions per day, this unified platform supports HA's clinical operations and maintains high standards of care. 

HA has also leveraged the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance clinical efficiency and the accuracy of medical diagnoses, showcasing their commitment to leveraging technology for superior healthcare delivery. 

Reflecting on this achievement, Dr. Ngai Tseung Cheung, Head of Information Technology and Health Informatics at the Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, said, "The Hong Kong Hospital Authority's successful HIMSS EMRAM validation is a significant milestone that underscores the remarkable progress in our digital transformation journey over the past decades. Achieving the EMRAM Stage 7 recognition from HIMSS validates the HA's continuous efforts to prioritize patient-centered care and operational efficiency at the highest level." 

Andrew Pearce, Vice President Analytics and Global Advisory Lead at HIMSS, also praised HA's dedication: "Through the validation process and on-site visits by HIMSS, Hong Kong Hospital Authority has clearly demonstrated their ongoing commitment to improving patient safety and the overall quality of clinical care through the effective use and deployment of Electronic Medical Record technology." 

By developing and implementing the CMS across all hospitals, the HA has established a unified and integrated system that supports patient care services for the entire Hong Kong population of over 7 million citizens. As HA continues to push the boundaries of digital health, they remain dedicated to improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency, ensuring the highest standards of care for the people of Hong Kong.